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Trip Overview
Duration
7 Days | 6 Nights
Guide
Cedric Dold
Date
9 - 15 September 2026
Location
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Waterberg biosphere, South Africa
Welcome to an extraordinary six-night safari through the ancient, rugged beauty of the Welgevonden Game Reserve. Located in the heart of the Waterberg UNESCO Biosphere, this 35,000-hectare private wilderness is a sanctuary of high-altitude savannah and deep sandstone ravines, offering a malaria-free Big Five experience that is both pristine and exclusive. Over the next week, your group of six will be under the expert care of Cedric Dold, your dedicated private host, whose deep knowledge and passion for the bush will bring the landscape to life.
Your journey is split between two of the reserve’s most distinguished properties: the secluded, ultra-luxurious Sediba Lodge and the dramatic Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway, perched high above the reserve with sweeping views across the Waterberg landscape. From this elevated setting, the vast wilderness unfolds below, creating a remarkable backdrop to your stay.
Beyond world-class game drives and exceptional dining, you will take part in a truly meaningful conservation experience: a rhino notching event. This rare opportunity allows you to assist veterinarians and rangers in the vital work of protecting these remarkable animals. It is a powerful and moving encounter that offers a deeper connection to the work being done to safeguard Africa’s wildlife.
Your Private Guide
Cedric Dold
Private Safari Guide
With 19 years of guiding experience and a natural gift for tracking, Cedric brings a steady presence and sharp eye to the bush. Trained through EcoTraining and in-lodge mentoring, he specialises in big cats and the art of reading the land until its stories come to life.
Since joining WildEarth in 2022, Cedric has shared his passion with a global audience, inspiring younger generations to care for the wild. Guests are drawn to his calm nature and the joy he shows when reconnecting with familiar leopards, his excitement both genuine and contagious.
For Cedric, guiding is about more than sightings. He invites guests to slow down, be present, and feel the rhythm of the wilderness.
The Lodges
Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway
Situated in the malaria-free Welgevonden Private Game Reserve in the Waterberg Mountains. A tribute to the unique splendour of the African Wilderness, combining modern African living, simplicity and an abundance of flavour with a unique wildlife experience. Luxury suites overlooking the flowing Sterkstroom River, each one perched on the edge of the cliff, with a private deck and plunge pool, the ideal opportunity to view game from the privacy of their suites. Indoor and outdoor showers and bathrooms with breathtaking views complement the seclusion of these spectacularly positioned suites. The lodge offers a dramatic fusion of African and Western cuisines, complemented by an extensive wine cellar that any wine lover would appreciate.
Sediba Luxury Safari Lodge - Rock Lodge
Sediba Rock Lodge is characterised by its rocky landscape among the verdant mountains. Set above a perennial stream, the lodge has various private lounge areas complete with fireplaces and has raised, decking with mountain and valley views, it has ten generously sized double suites, each has a large, private lounge and dining area, en-suite bathroom with overhead shower and copper bath, walk-in wardrobe, tea/coffee making facilities, a stocked bar fridge, wood-burning fireplace, and an inviting heated Jacuzzi on the extensive leisure deck overlooking the vast hills and valleys. The main lodge areas feature a spa with twin treatment beds, a sauna, a fully equipped gymnasium, a stunning main lodge natural rock swimming pool and a traditional African rock ‘boma’. Wi-fi is supplied throughout the lodge and suites. A private safari vehicle and guide can be requested at the time of booking for a nominal daily fee.
Sediba Mountain Lodge is set atop a plateau, with spectacular vistas of the surrounding wilderness. It offers a more intimate feel – with an infinity pool and traditional ‘boma’ – and is perfect for families, groups of friends or smaller corporate getaways.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Wednesday, 9 September 2026
Sediba Luxury Safari Lodge, Rock Lodge • Welgevonden Game Reserve
Today you will be met by your private driver at OR Tambo International Airport for your road transfer to Welgevonden Game Reserve. On arrival, you will be welcomed and escorted to Sediba Lodge to settle into your suite. Enjoy a relaxed lunch, take a breath, and then head out on your first afternoon safari. Cedric Dold will be your private guide and host throughout your stay.
Day 2: Thursday, 10 September 2026
Sediba Luxury Safari Lodge, Rock Lodge • Welgevonden Game Reserve
Wake to the quiet beat of the reserve. After a leisurely breakfast, you will head out with Cedric to explore Welgevonden, following fresh tracks and the changing mood of the day. Return to camp to rest through the heat, then set out again for an afternoon safari as the light softens.
Day 3: Friday, 11 September 2026
Sediba Luxury Safari Lodge, Rock Lodge • Welgevonden Game Reserve
Another full day on safari with Cedric, with time to go deeper into the landscape. Expect unhurried sightings, space for photography, and a steady focus on the smaller details that bring the bush to life. Your day will flow between morning and afternoon drives, with time in camp to reset in between.
Day 4: Saturday, 12 September 2026
Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway • Welgevonden Game Reserve
After your morning safari and breakfast, you will be transferred to Clifftop for the next part of your journey. Once you have checked in and settled, you will head out for an afternoon safari to get a feel for the new area and its wildlife beat.
Day 5: Sunday, 13 September 2026
Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway • Welgevonden Game Reserve
Today you will take part in a rhino notching experience alongside professional vets and field experts. This is a rare, conservation focused day, with a chance to understand the work behind protecting rhino populations, up close and responsibly.
Day 6: Monday, 14 September 2026
Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway • Welgevonden Game Reserve
Your final full day is reserved for safari time with Cedric, making the most of the last drives and the last light. You will have the freedom to focus on what matters most to you, whether that is big game, birding, tracking, or simply being out in the wild for one more day.
Day 7: Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway • Welgevonden Game Reserve
After your final morning safari and breakfast, your private driver will meet you for the transfer back to Johannesburg International Airport, OR Tambo, in time for your onward journey.
Inclusions, Exclusions & Pricing
Included
- All internal road transfers
- All meals and local drinks.
- High end accommodation throughout.
- Cedric Dold as a private guide throughout.
- 24/7 support while in Africa.
Excluded
- Travel insurance
- Items of a personal nature
- International flights.
Pricing
Sharing
Per person sharing
Single
Per person for single occupancy
